I am pretty sure the Town's legislative body can demand the style of budget presented and they can ask for a line by line review if they so wish. Regarding the amount of detail in an expense sheet seems like less information to the people paying the bills resulting in less transparency and honesty in government. If the people let this slide, they get what they deserve. People should demand a transparent line by line explanation of the spending of their money. If they do not get it, vote them out. That is my opinion and I will be looking for the details of what Town meeting can demand and I think it is time for a written newsletter to be sent to the people of Templeton.
posted by Jeff Bennett
Thursday, December 22, 2016
To the citizen of Templeton who took the time to send me information and newspaper articles on Carter Terenzini, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to find these and read them and send them to me. I have seen these, read them and posted some of them here already and perhaps I will re-post them so people can see them again.
Again, thank you for taking the time and for being interested in your town.
Jeff Bennett
Again, thank you for taking the time and for being interested in your town.
Jeff Bennett
We don't care about no law, we got our school!
October 23, 2016
Holly;
This is a request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law (M. G. L. Chapter 66, Section 10). I am requesting that I be provided a copy of the following records:
I am requesting a copy of the contract between the Town of Templeton (through it's light department) and the Narragansett Regional School District.
I recognize that you may charge reasonable costs for copies, as well as for personnel time needed to comply with this request. If you expect costs to exceed $10.00, please provide a detailed fee estimate.
The Public Records Law requires you to provide me with a written response within 10 calendar days. If you cannot comply with my request, you are statutorily required to provide an explanation in writing.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Jeff Bennett
77 Partridgeville Road
Templeton, MA 01468
978-360-4634
MGL chapter 164
Section 56C. Every municipal light commission or manager thereof, who makes or executes a contract on behalf of a municipal lighting plant, where the amount involved is five thousand dollars or more, shall furnish said contract or a copy thereof to the city or town auditor within one week after its execution. Said city or town auditor shall keep such contract or copy on file, open to public inspection during business hours. Such contracts or copies shall be kept in a separate book, arranged according to the subject of the contract, or in other convenient form. An index of the subject matter of the contracts and to the names of the contractors shall be made semi-annually, and shall also be open to public inspection in some convenient form. All allowances under and additions to such contracts, or copies thereof, shall be filed with the city or town auditor, together with a sworn statement of the officer making such allowances or additions that the same are correct and in accordance with the contract. A city or town auditor, municipal light commissioner or manager wilfully failing to comply with this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.
Mr. Bennett:
Regardless of the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 64, §56C, those records are not provided to and are not in the possession of this office. You will need to make your request directly to Templeton Light & Water.
Holly A. Young
Holly A. Young,
Assistant to the Town Administrator
Templeton selectmen working for you
posted by Jeff Bennett
To FOX 25 news: news tip of problems with town government.
Ms. Handy,
I am writing to you with a concern/question. In May of 2016 at the Templeton annual Town meeting, voters were presented a budget spread sheet that showed among other things a revenue sheet with local receipts/motor vehicle excise tax as $1,110,000.00. This number was part of total revenue dollars used to show a "balanced" budget - revenue versus expense being equal. However, one the most recent Templeton tax recap sheet, which is now available on the DLs website, that figure is $1,000,000.00. This to me now means that there is not a "balanced" revenue versus spread sheet. My question is this: is this practice legal and is it the practice of the department of revenue to let these things slide by? I will be mailing to you hard copies of these documents.
Thank you in advance for any assistance you may provide with this matter.
regards;
Jeffrey Bennett
MJ Handy is the current director of accounts at the MA DOR. Similar emails sent to attorney general, state treasurer and other members of the MFOB, questioning whether it is a good idea to lend Templeton money or allow Templeton to borrow 24 million dollars with a payback of 24 million plus 14 million in interest. Templeton did not present a balanced budget to town meeting again!
posted by Jeff Bennett
Money to burn? Is there a better way to spend taxpayer dollars?
The city of Gardner recently received 12 property tax bills (separate) for zero dollars. Here is a paper copy of property you own and for this quarter, you owe nothing. You will owe nothing for the entire year because you are tax exempt. Why does the tax collector send out bills for nothing/ Could these properties be listed together and sent electronically or on one bill rather than 12? How much time does this take? Are these the things being looked at to save time and money? How often does this happen? How many other entities receive the same billing? Does the town send it self property tax bills for zero dollars? Does the treasurer/collector know what they are doing?
Perhaps the selectmen can pay the collins institute $5,000.00 to study this too?
posted by Jeff Bennett
The city of Gardner recently received 12 property tax bills (separate) for zero dollars. Here is a paper copy of property you own and for this quarter, you owe nothing. You will owe nothing for the entire year because you are tax exempt. Why does the tax collector send out bills for nothing/ Could these properties be listed together and sent electronically or on one bill rather than 12? How much time does this take? Are these the things being looked at to save time and money? How often does this happen? How many other entities receive the same billing? Does the town send it self property tax bills for zero dollars? Does the treasurer/collector know what they are doing?
Perhaps the selectmen can pay the collins institute $5,000.00 to study this too?
posted by Jeff Bennett
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